Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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Today the avalanche danger is expected to be LOW both in the Alpine and at Treeline. If winds become calm today be aware of wet loose avalanche activity on Southern and Western aspects in the afternoon. Newly forming windslabs up to 6 € thick could be tender along ridgetops and if triggered could knock you off your feet. Pay attention to changing surface conditions throughout the day and modify your travel plan should either of these conditions become a hazard.
LOW danger does not mean NO danger! Don’t forget to practice safe travel habits. Identify islands of safety, travel one at a time in steep terrain, and always have an escape zone.
We are in the classic springtime melt-freeze cycle with a generally solid snowpack. Today your focus should be on surface instabilities. Be aware of solar heating on Southern and Western exposures and blowing snow in the Apline. Winds are expected to be 10-20mph from the Northeast along ridgetops; just enough wind to keep the surface snow supportable even if temperatures are well above freezing. If winds exceed 20mph today blowing snow along ridgetops will be a clue that windslabs could be forming.
Wet Avalanches:
A firm melt-freeze crust has formed over the last 3 days on Southern and Western aspects. At lower elevations where slopes are protected from the wind expect this crust to break down quicker. Wet loose avalanches will be more of a concern near the bottom of steep terrain features on sunny aspects. If you notice your skis or board punching into wet and heavy snow avoid steep terrain features and terrain traps. Should winds become calm wet loose activity will start around rocks in steep terrain.
Wind slabs:
On shaded aspects up to 10” of snow is available for transport. If winds increase to 30mph be on the lookout for fresh wind slabs forming on leeward features along ridgetops. These windslabs will be small and isolated; unlikely to bury a person, but could cause you to fall if triggered in steep terrain.
A photo of Common Bowl yesterday on Tincan before the surface crust softened. Notice the rollerballs from the previous day just under the corniced ridge. In the foreground the skin track still has light dry powder snow on a slightly shaded Northern aspect.
Yesterday thin clouds slowly covered the sky throughout the day. Daytime temperatures reached the mid 40s F at lower elevations. In the alpine temperatures reached 30F by midday, but Northeast winds 5-15mph kept the surface snow supportable on sunny aspects. No new precipitation was recorded. Overnight temperatures cooled to mid 20s F along ridgetops.
Today should be partly cloudy and temperatures will be similar to yesterday. Winds will be 10-20mph from the Northeast and no precipitation is expected.
Tomorrow expect more of the same, partly cloudy, warm daytime temperatures, and light winds. Sunday evening there is a chance for scattered showers.
*For those of you in Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley a red flag warning remains in affect until 10pm this evening for increased fire danger due to low humidity.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 38 | 0 | 0 | 71 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 37 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 37 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 27 | ENE | 11 | 32 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 28 | n/a | 18 | 36 |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
05/22/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | Nick D'Alessio |
05/12/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan, Sunburst, Magnum, Cornbiscuit | Heather Thamm |
05/07/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan – Bear Tracks | CNFAIC Staff |
05/05/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Seattle Ridge | AS/ WW Forecaster |
05/02/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Cornbiscuit | Schauer/ Sturgess Forecaster |
05/02/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Seward Hwy Turnagain Pass | Joel Curtis |
04/30/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Magnum | Ayla, Kit Crosby, Barton |
04/29/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | John Sykes |
04/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Taylor Pass/Pastoral | Schauer/ Creighton Forecaster |
04/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | Andy Moderow |
Status of riding areas across the Chugach NF is managed by the Glacier and Seward Ranger Districts, not avalanche center staff. Riding area information is posted as a public service to our users and updated based on snow depth and snow density to prevent resource damage at trailhead locations. Riding area questions contact: mailroom_r10_chugach@fs.fed.us
Area | Status | Weather & Riding Conditions |
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Glacier District |
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This is a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area. This advisory does not apply to highways, railroads or operating ski areas.